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Governor Larry Hogan Announces Expansion of Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network
Baltimore County Police Department, Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office Lead New Coalitions for Statewide Crime Reduction Strategy
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Today, Governor Larry Hogan announced the addition of law enforcement agencies in Baltimore County and Harford County to the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network, a criminal justice strategy announced by Governor Hogan in 2017, that encourages local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to collaborate and share information to target, disrupt, and dismantle gangs, as well as criminal organizations involved in drug, firearm, and human trafficking operations. The new coalitions will be led by the Baltimore County Police Department and the Harford County State’s Attorney’s Office.
“Law enforcement agencies have disrupted and dismantled more than 800 criminal organizations under the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network since 2018,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “The addition of Baltimore County and Harford County to this dynamic network, strengthens our coordinated efforts to investigate, arrest, and prosecute those who terrorize our communities.”
The MCIN initiative is funded through the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. Baltimore County and Harford County were chosen based on crime statistics, proximity to Baltimore City and other jurisdictions participating in the initiative to enhance investigations, as well as proximity to major interstates that can be used for organized criminal activity like drug, firearm, and human trafficking. Adding law enforcement partnerships in Baltimore and Harford Counties will enhance investigations and increase the ability for all MCIN coalitions to share information and leverage resources.
“The Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network has given law enforcement an edge when it comes to holding criminals accountable,” said Glenn Fueston, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Crime Prevention, Youth, and Victim Services. “This growing initiative has greatly enhanced the Hogan administration’s data-driven approach to reducing crime across our state and we are grateful for the continued work of our law enforcement partners who make our communities safer for us all.”
“As an agency that routinely engages in collaborative crime fighting initiatives with bordering agencies, the Baltimore County Police Department is excited to be involved in the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network initiative,” said Chief Melissa Hyatt of the Baltimore County Police Department. “Crime knows no jurisdictional boundaries, and best policing practices incorporate good communication and information sharing across jurisdictions to build strong cases and successful prosecutions. With a number of our bordering jurisdictions already included in this network, our involvement will help to enhance and streamline the collaborative crime fighting efforts in which we already engage.”
“It is abundantly clear that criminal organizations don’t confine their illicit operations to the borders of one county,” said Harford County State’s Attorney Albert Peisinger. “Real time intelligence and support from the Governor and our law enforcement partners through the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network greatly enhances our ability to dismantle these operations from a Statewide perspective. We are excited to be a part of the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network and contribute to its mission, growth, and success.”
There are now 14 MCIN coalitions in Maryland, with the addition of Baltimore and Harford counties. The Hyattsville Police Department is now included in the Prince George’s County MCIN coalition. Also, several coalitions have been renamed to better demonstrate the wide support they provide to their communities and the scope of the partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement: Cumberland MCIN is now Allegany County MCIN; Hagerstown MCIN is now Washington County MCIN; and Salisbury MCIN is now Wicomico County MCIN. To learn more about MCIN, visit: https://goccp.maryland.gov/mcin/.
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